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Album Review: Aggressive, Beartoothhttps://metalviews.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/album-review-aggressive-beartooth/
https://metalviews.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/album-review-aggressive-beartooth/#respondTue, 21 Jun 2016 19:57:13 +0000http://metalviews.wordpress.com/?p=283Read More]]>Beartooth’s recent album, Aggressive, is the follow up to the incredible debut album, Disgusting. I think I am rather safe in saying that expectations for this album were high from a wide array of their fans.

The album kicks off with three songs released prior to the album release; Aggressive, Hated & Loser. All three songs have big choruses and will please all Beartooth fans. Although there is little diversity between these songs (following very similar song structures and sounds), they are all solid variants on a single ‘theme’ or concept.

The middle portion of the album then starts to go a little bit wayward for me. Despite having the sing-along chorus of the previous three tracks, the songs all start to merge into one and quickly fade from memory. Track four, Fair Weather Friend, has a very catch intro which then comes back in the pre-verse which peaks my attention to the song. The following two (Burnout and Sick of Me) are very unmemorable by Beartooth standards.

Following this, Censored starts to pick the album back up again with a little bit more grit and determination. And then, we get our first song that is completely different! Always Dead injects a lot of pace and aggression with almost purely screamed vocals. A definite stand out 2 minutes on the album.

Always Dead begins what I consider the final chapter of the album, which is certainly much better than the middle. However You Want It Said and Find A Way are much closer to the standard set from Disgusting with punchy riffs and catchier choruses. I am not sold on the intro to However You Want It Said though. The echo effect on the vocals to make it sound rather synthetic, something I discuss more on my Dark Matter review. So not a fan of that, but the rest of the song is awesome.

There has been a lot of talk of rock being dead, so Rock Is Dead is quite clearly Caleb’s reaction to that talk. Good job the song is rockin’ then! Onto the final track, King of Anything. A unique song with just Caleb and an electric guitar. Much like the final track on Disgusting, you can feel the raw emotion through the vocals and the instruments. Again, another unique song that rounds off the album fantastically.

I’ve referred to the debut album Disgusting a fair amount in this review, so I take it you get I like it right? Good. When that album was released, it felt so fresh compared to the other music being released by their peers at the time so, as I mentioned in my introduction, I expected a lot from this release. It has not lived up to my expectations, but I still think it is a good album. My main criticism is the lack of variety on a lot of the songs. The pattern is clear – shouting/screaming verse, sung chorus, shouting/screaming verse, sung chorus, breakdown, one final chorus. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it? I guess.

When the variation comes on the album it feels very fresh and keeps me engaged with the album. I have seen a few of these songs at Download Festival and they fitted in perfectly with the old stuff. I am intrigued to see a headline show now, and see how many more songs from Aggressive they will include. It may not be many, but only time will tell.

Conclusions

One line summary: More of the same from one of the bands that could define modern music

I’ve read a lot of positive comments on this album yet I am left wanting a lot more. The Word Alive are my favorite band; i own multiple shirts, all albums and seen them 10+ times and I honestly think that this is below par for them.

My impression of the album has changed over the last week that I have been listening to it, yet I still find it boring in places. On my first listen I struggled to make it through the album and found it quite monotonous. When “Trapped” was first released as a single I was again a little disappointed despite me now knowing that was one of the better songs off the record.

I think my main issue with this particular album is the vocals. Telle has really pushed himself vocally on this album. Well, on his clean vocals anyway. The distinct lack of screaming vocals, coupled with the very echoey and synthetic sound (the start of “Suffocating” being prime example of this) to the vocals becomes quite annoying.

I have always viewed The Word Alive as being better than a lot of the generic metalcore genre, but this album will fall into that sub-standard category for me. Tracks like”Dreamer”, “Face to Face” and “Made This Way” are very ‘middle of the road’, ploddy songs that are instantly blow out of the water by songs like “Sellout” and “Dark Matter”.

There are some distinct places on this album where it’s great! When the band get going into the higher tempo stuff, with complex riffing it is a lot more enjoyable. I particularly like the breakdown in “Grunge” with the really deep screaming over the top of a staccato riff. With the title track (“Dark Matter”) and “Oxy” also being much better songs with more challenging vocals and complex sounds, the album certainly ends on a positive note.

Overall, I think my main criticism of the album is the slower/mid-tempo songs being mundane but there are certainly some great songs that are a cut above the rest!

Conclusions

One line summary: Some interesting lyrics, with some kick-ass musicianship in places, but not the leap forward I was expecting from The Word Alive.

The modern metal giants had London in the palm of their hand. Everything about this night was perfect – from setlist choice to the intensity of the crows; could not have been better.

From the opening song, The Negative One, up until half way through there was an incredible energy to the crowd. Everyone was having a good time singing along to all the songs with everyone else around them. And then it got taken up to a new level. Half way through the main set Slipknot played Everything Ends and Alexandra Palace went beserk. I have never seen such an intense crowd take it up that extra notch like on this night.

From then on, every song became a game of see how much you can enjoy the song without falling over! Falling to the left, then over to the right – it was a real struggle to keep both feet planted on the ground.

From my three previous times of seeing Slipknot, they usually end with the same three songs in order. But not this night; they mixed it up for a change! Ending with Spit It Out was incredible. Being part of the ten thousand people that crouched on that floor is certainly something that will live in my memory for a long time!

The only thing I think could have improved the night – pyro. I was very surprised that there was no fireworks and no fire. It seems a bit ridiculous that I can complain Slipknot were lacking on the stage show! It is only a minor criticism as they did have a huge screen, fantastic lights and the spectacle of Clown, Chris, Craig and Sid riding up and down on their platforms.

Conclusions

Ratings:1. Slipknot: 10/10

One line summary: This was my first time Slipknot in a venue (the rest have been at festivals) and it was a complete spectacle from beginning to end.

Would you go again?
Only a fool wouldn’t want to go.

Were you there? Feel free to drop a comment and let me know your thoughts!

This is certainly a treat for me to be reviewing as my first album review for this year – this is a pretty incredible album. Earthbound starts as it means to go on with The Eternal; slaps you right in the face with a growl from Dan and a breakdown-esk riff that makes you want to snap your neck back and forth. Oh, and don’t forget the catchy chorus that I can well imagine a large crowd singing back when it is inevitably played live.

The album caries on with the heavy riffing, memorable guitar licks and fantastic clean and screaming vocals throughout all songs, but the most catchy of choruses is definitely from Cemetry (it’s been pretty much stuck in my head since first listen to the album). I would hazard a guess that this will be another song that will feature on a no doubt impending headline tour off the back of the album. Plus there is a great pre-chorus section with some really low bass. I like the bass.

The singles released from the album pre-release (Earthbound, Memories, Last Light & 301) give you a good idea of how the album sounds, but there is more diversity on the album with no song really sounding the same. I would say if any song off this album were to be released it would be received well by all current fans and the wider community.

I guess I do have two (minor) criticisms of the album. 1 – I feel that Cemetry fades too quick. I enjoy listening to the song, but the fade just seems to cut the song too short; it could do with 5 – 10 more seconds of fade. Criticism number 2 – the album seems really short. I thought initially that it is because I enjoyed it so much and 36 minutes is not actually that short for an album, but I think it seems a little bit unfinished. I have a sneaky feeling this is in preparation for a deluxe version which would be an immediate purchase.

To bring things to a close, this is a very good contender for album of the year, despite only being January; definitely worth a listen (and a purchase). This is definitely the greatest album Bury Tomorrow have put together and I am already excited to see how this next chapter and album cycle plays out for them!

Conclusions

One line summary: Powerful riffs, strong screams and crowd pleasing choruses melded together in spectacular fashion.

Rating: 9/10 (no Brainwashed is all I can say)

Favorite Song: Struggle to pick, but The Burden (for now at least).

Listening to this album makes me want to: see this take Bury Tomorrow to the next level, above their mostly mediocre peers.

Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

]]>https://metalviews.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/album-review-earthbound-bury-tomorrow/feed/0bury-tomorrow-earthbound-2016-570x570chance1212bury-tomorrow-earthbound-2016-570x570Album Review: Brainwash, While She Sleepshttps://metalviews.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/album-review-brainwash-while-she-sleeps/
https://metalviews.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/album-review-brainwash-while-she-sleeps/#respondFri, 08 Jan 2016 19:50:50 +0000http://metalviews.wordpress.com/?p=161Read More]]>Spoiler – this is my favorite album of 2015. That should give you an idea of where this review will be going.

Now, I only have the standard album, not the deluxe version. From what I have heard, I miss out on two songs and some interludes (that I’m sure I will purchase at a later point). Despite this, the album still rocks. Like, really rocks!

The first time I listened to this album it clicked straight away. I have a couple of friends who it took some time to really get into, but I knew from the get go how good it was. Then I saw them live. It went from really good to god damn amazing. I love everything about this album.

The songs always keep you on edge with no sense of predictability about the songs. There are so many riffs and breakdowns, yet there are nice interludes such as the intro to Four Walls (epic live).

I cannot find a place to fault this album. What is there not to like? Brainwashed (the title track) has an epic breakdown to finish the song, thought provoking lyrics throughout the whole album and some fantastically huge choruses.

From hearing the EP that they released I thought, and wanted, While She Sleeps to be the next big British Metal band. They will be facing stiff competition from others but there is undeniably something special about this band. Everything about this band is DIY. I have t-shirts that have been hand spray painted and they are currently building their own studio as a HQ. When do you see that in this day in age. Seems only one place; in Sheffield with While She Sleeps.

This album is a game changer for me now. Moving forward, this is the new standard that I will be expecting from music. Let’s hope there is more in store for these guys and that they never lose that DIY attitude.

Conclusions

One line summary: Metalcore with constant riffing, big choruses and unpredictability.

Rating: 10/10 (told you I loved this album)

Favorite Song: Our Legacy

Listening to this album makes me want to: See While She Sleeps go onto massive things and headline Wembley Arena

Last gig of the year! What a year it has been with many many shows, festivals (both day and weekends) and starting up this blog. Let’s hope we can carry this on through 2016!

This was again a great night to go along to, but had a very different crowd to what I am used to. I see (as many others probably do) Don Broco as a ‘lads band’. A group of lads in the band attracting loads of lads to their shows. Well, enough lads to sell out Brixton!

The crowd were a negative impact to my enjoyment of the performance on this night, which is a real shame. Don Broco are another one of those bands that I really enjoy seeing live, but cannot listen to them on track. The new album Automatic is so hard for me to listen; it sounds so watered down. Then again, the album is something that is very out of my scope of music that I listen to regularly (tend to steer towards heavy music).

Then again, the crowd were at least seriously going for it throughout the whole gig. It was also a super sweaty experience, like always with Don Broco. The palm trees on stage were a nice touch to the setup as well. Pretty nice to see them use a live string quartet for the live show!

So overall I had a pretty great night! One last comment about Don Broco in general, their bass played is incredible! He is also a super nice dude, as I’m sure the rest of the band are too.

Conclusions

Ratings:

Don Broco: 8/10

One line summary: Super sweaty crowd full of frustrating people, but a wicked performance.

Would you go again? I find this difficult to answer as my friends really like them so I know I will and probably really enjoy it. However, I wouldn’t go if my friends weren’t. So yes and no.

Were you there? Feel free to drop a comment and let me know your thoughts!

In the wake of the recent attacks in Paris, a lot of gigs have understandably been cancelled. I thought my evening would be soured by Papa Roach pulling out of the gig. They were the main reasoning for my attendance on this night, but it was still an amazing experience.

Again, arriving late, I missed the first two supports leaving just Skindred and FFDP left to entertain the packed Wembley Arena.

I know Skindred are awesome live, but I cannot connect to them on track, which is a real shame. One hell of a show though! They seriously know how the get the crowd pumped, moving and grooving!

For a band that were announced as a replacement only a few days prior, probably playing to people that do not have any idea who they are, they were immense.

One Newport helicopter out the way and a brief intermission, FFDP came on.

I mentioned earlier that I wanted to see Papa Roach on this evening, so you can probably guess FFDP aren’t exactly my favourite band. They did put on a wicked show though!

My main beef with the band is that it is very very similar throughout their songs; they all have the same ‘feel’ to them. They do translate much better live.

It was a very enjoyable to be part of this crowd and I knew more of the songs than I thought I did!

Conclusions

Ratings:1. Skindred: 7/102. Five Finger Death Punch: 7/10

One line summary: An entertaining night despite what’s going on in the outside world

Would you go again?1. Skindred: I probably will see them again in some capacity and not complain, but I probably wouldn’t go to a headline show2. Five Finger Death Punch: I expect I will see them at a festival some day (but can they headline? Probably not).

Were you there? Feel free to drop a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Well, I more need to drink less at said gigs. But this is the reason that I continue to go to them – this was an incredible performance.

Let’s start at the bottom of the bill with Youth Blood. I need to check these guys out actually. Considering I went there not knowing who these guys were, they put on a pretty good show. Parts of the crowd seemed really into it (reasonable size pit) and were an enjoyable watch!

Now, I’m not sure if my memory of Youth Blood being that good is 100% accurate. Reason being ’68 were god awful. I don’t even understand how they were on this bill. Again, I didn’t know who these were and I will not be seeing these again. It’s a two piece those that don’t know. A guy, prancing about playing some chords on a guitar and singing (used loosely here) with his mate on drums.

I found myself looking around at the people there and no one seemed to understand what was going on! The vocals were poor, the guitar was poor and the ‘music’ they were playing was poor. Poor, poor, poor. But maybe I need to hear this on track to hear if it is more cohesive on track.

Fortunately the night was saved by Beartooth. Honestly, the whole sit

Beartooth

down jump up thing that everyone now seems to do is getting a bit boring. Despite this Beartooth had one. At the start of the very first song. Like, what the hell!?!

It was utter and complete chaos throughout the whole set. The band don’t
exactly have a large back catalogue (one EP and one Album) but every song they have is awesome and fortunately translates live! Within the first song I had nearly fallen over about seven or eight times; not a bad start to the set.

It was just great song, after great song, after great song. There wasn’t a song I would change on that set. Perfection.

Conclusions

Ratings:

Youth Blood – 6/10

’68 – 1/10

Beartooth – 10/10

One line summary: For such a new band to be so good live, they could really go places

Would you go again?

Youth Blood – Potentially after checking them out

’68 – You couldn’t pay me enough to make me see these again

Beartooth – Without question, YES!

Were you there? Feel free to give a comment below telling me what your thoughts are!

I had been looking forward to this day for a long long time. Why? Because I had never seen Lamb of God before and it is definitely long overdue.

I was however slightly disappointed that what was advertised as a co-headline tour, was more of a Megadeth headline tour with an extended set from Lamb of God.

I arrived late to the gig and missed Sylosis – not

Children of Bodom

too disappointed with
this, but may have been nice to see them. The first band that I saw that night was Children of Bodom. Now, I don’t know what people expect from a band with a name like Children of Bodom, but they are a heavy, melodic death metal band. Also a band that have strong singles/tracks but the albums all merge into one (rather like Amity as mentioned in a previous post). These are another band that I have wanted to see for a while, so very pleased I got to see them and would love to see play for longer to fully judge their live performances (from this short set I am optimistic).

Great start to the evening that was about to get a hell of a lot better.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God. Oh my God what a show! I would say only two songs of the new album was a bit of a let down, but Wembley is a huge venue! I would guess that as this was an arena tour, they decided to go with a lot more of the ‘classics’, creating a monster set list that everyone enjoyed. Randy is such an inspirational man and an outstanding live vocalist. The stage show with the screens was excellent. No pyro, no CO2 cannons, no fireworks, yet still a show that I will remember (100% going to see them next time they are in the UK – I’ve missed out enough not seeing them before).

I went to this gig with a bad impression of Megadeth.

Megadeth

I refer to them as the crap Metallica, which I stand by. They were awful. I can’t pinpoint what made them bad. Was it the songs being so long? The lack of singing with long solos? The fact that they actually used spotlights like a really old band? The fact they are an old school metal band that I am from the wrong generation to like? That the songs sounded rather similar live? I would guess a combination of them all. They had good imagery on the screens, but I didn’t enjoy any of the four songs I heard (which took around half hour for them to get through). I always intended on leaving this early, after about half an hour – it gave me enough time to judge them and decide they are not a band for me. Still, glad I saw them and can now say I have seen them (but won’t be again).

Conclusions

Rating:

Children of Bodom – 6/10

Lamb of God – 9/10

Megadeth – 1/10

One line summary: Full of guys wearing denim or leather; a right sausage fest!

Would you go again?

Children of Bodom – Yes

Lamb of God – Absolutely

Megadeth – Hell no!

Were you there? Feel free to give a comment below telling me what your thoughts are!

Just to clarify, this was for the Impericon Never Say Die Tour. I had researched all of the bands that were on the tour, but none of them appealed to me other than Amity. My expectations were therefore rather low for this show as a whole.

I was right in my low expectations. Despite turning up late just to catch the end of Cruel Hand as the show was running a little late. In all honesty, they were better than I anticipated but still weren’t exactly great!

After they finished (and another beer later), Being As An Ocean were up next. Their performance led to me and my gig crew to go upstairs and onto the balcony for the Download announcement on the Radio One Rock Show. Decent announcement, but still not enough to get me to go (yet!).

This passed enough time for us to go back inside and tackle Defeater. They were also better than I thought they would be, but still not the most enjoyable watch.

Onto the main reason you are here, The Amity Affliction. The crowd were unbelievable! Seriously giving it 100% throughout every song! Kudos if you were there.

The setlist was heavily weighted to the latest album (Let the Ocean Take Me) and very short for a headline set. The performance was okay, but they angered me.

The clean vocals had a lot of backing track. A lot of backing track, highlighted by the fact you can see the clean vocalist move away from the mic and the vocals do not change one bit. Shame really.

There was also backing track for the screaming, but I think this was more for backing vocals to really give them a strong sound. I can deal with this, but not having a full backing track for all the clean vocals.

An issue I have with Amity regardless of the backing track, is how similar all of the songs sound. The latest album just merges into one if you don’t pay attention to it. I love being able to listen to an album and time flies by, but with this one it flies by but it sounds like one extremely long song!

Conclusions

Rating: 6/10 (because the crowd were so into it!)

One line summary: Too much backing track!

Would you go again? Not to a headline show, but I wouldn’t mind them as a support.

Were you there? Feel free to give a comment below telling me what your thoughts are!